Abstract: A fluid pressure actuator is moved in one direction by fluid pressure and returned in the other direction by a compressed spring. With the method and apparatus embodied in the disclosure, a plurality of additional energy storage storing devices are compressed by only the initial movement of the actuator in response to the application of fluid pressure thereto. Such energy is applied to the energy storage devices by an annular cam surface provided on the actuator shaft. During the return movement of the actuator, the stored energy is returned in the form of an additional axial force applied to the actuator shaft just prior to its return to its original position. When such actuator is applied to a valve, the additional force imparted to the shaft by the energy storing devices may be designed to cause the severing of a wire line trapped in the opening of the valve at the instant that closing of the valve is required.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which is respondable to control fluid pressure for moving an operative means of a valve between open and closed positions. Valve means are movable between open and closed positions and communicate between the accumulator means and the fluid passage means to permit fluid control pressure charging of the accumulator chamber when the valve is in the open position and for preventing discharge of fluid pressure within the accumulator chamber when the valve is in the closed position. The valve is responsive to pressure differential between the accumulator chamber and the fluid passage means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in which the apparatus is insertable along a pressure transmission conduit extending from a source point to a pressure responsive device, such as a safety valve in a subterranean well. The apparatus has a fluid passageway through a housing with inlet and outlet means for communicating the passageway to the transmission conduit. A frictionless ball valve head and seat means are disposed in the housing and across the passageway for selectively isolating pressure communication between members of the transmission conduit. Means, such as a plunger, are provided for shifting the ball valve head off of its seat, with piston means being carried by the plunger and including a piston head which is responsive to differential pressure for urging the plunger in a first direction to move the ball valve to its seat upon increase of pressure in the conduit above a predetermined value.

Abstract: A bimodal, non-venting pneumatic relay senses the presence or absence of a first pressurized fluid and controls the supply or temination of a second pressurized fluid to associated equipment. The relay includes a segmented housing defining plural grooves which accept annular seals, a valve stem against which the seals seat and a reversible piston. The reversible piston can be selectively oriented and installed to provide either, manual rest operation to interrupt the supply of the second fluid if the first fluid supply is interrupted, the relay requiring manual resetting to reestablish supply of the second fluid, or automatic reset operation, wherein restoration of the second fluid supply is achieved automatically if the first fluid pressure is re-established subsequent to an interruption.

Abstract: An actuator for a rotary valve preferably embodying a diaphragm motor operated by pressure fluid. A driving sleeve is reciprocated linearly by the diaphragm motor and within said sleeve is a rotatable shaft, which is axially aligned with the diaphragm motor and driven by a ball screw. A driven sleeve is fixed to said shaft and receives the stem of the valve. All parts are in linear alignment. Means are provided for limiting the extent of the linear movement of the parts.

Abstract: A control fluid valve assembly is provided which is respondable to a pressure monitored fluid. The assembly preferably comprises first and second valve seats within a housing. A spool element is shuttleable within the housing near the valve seat by either manual or mechanical manipulation to first and second positions and is responsive to pressure variation within the monitored fluid to shuttle it to a second position. Balls are contained in first and second valve head groups and are carryable by the spool element, the balls being selectively sealingly engagable onto and wipable off of the valve seat means to control fluid flow of the control fluid within the assembly in response to the pressure monitored fluid. A plurality of seals are defined between the housing and the spool means to prevent fluid communication therebetween and to define flow passageways across the spool.

Abstract: A heat sensitive locking device is preferably provided for a fluid actuator of the type which is moved in a direction to one position through the application of fluid pressure and remains in such position unless temperature conditions surrounding the device reach a level indicating that the actuator should be shifted to another position. The locking device comprises a core attachable to an exposed end of, for example, the piston shaft, and an annular collar surrounding such core and attached to the cylinder. A plurality of annular segmental shaped locking members are disposed between the core and collar and pivotally mounted so as to be movable to a locking position or to an unlocked position, each relative to the core. The annular locking elements are held in their locking position by being wrapped by a resilient spring wire, the ends of which are anchored to the locking members by means including a minimal size fusible link.

Abstract: A fail safe mechanism is provided for locking an actuating piston rod of a fluid operated actuator in a selected axial position in the event of a failure, or significant decrease in, the fluid pressure applied to the actuator. Preferably, a secondary cylinder is provided within the actuator cylinder and is in fluid communication therewith. A piston in the secondary cylinder is biased toward a locking position by a spring and is shiftable toward a released position by the existence of a predetermined amount of fluid pressure in the main cylinder. An annularly extending locking mechanism is provided in surrounding relationship to the actuating piston rod and is radially movable into engagement with a locking shoulder on such piston rod when the rod is shifted to one of its selected axial positions by the application of fluid pressure to the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for connection along a conduit for free flowing transmission of fluids in a first direction and for selective control of fluid flow in a second direction. The apparatus provides means whereby fluid flow in the second direction in excess of a predeterminable rate of the fluid flow permits a fixed volume displacement of fluid within the conduit without limitation upon the predeterminable rate of fluid flow. The apparatus also defines second means whereby fluid flow in the second direction and within the predeterminable rate of fluid flow permits an unrestricted volume displacement of the fluid through the conduit.

Abstract: An interface assembly is provided for operation with the spool valve elements comprising means which are extendable to the spool and a piston head element within the housing and carried around the extension means for travel along the extension means in response to pressure variation. Spherical means are securable on the piston head together with means for urging the spherical means toward the spool extension means. First and second camways are defined on the extension means for travel of the spherical means which are secured on the piston. A shoulder on the extension means defines the intersection between the first and second camways and resists travel of the piston-housed spherical means along one of the camways when the piston is shifted in a first direction.

Abstract: Valve means associatable with free traveling spherical means are sealing engageable onto and wipable off of companion seats to selectively control flow. A spool permits selective movement of the head means to the seat means and selective engagement of the head and seat means upon shuttling.An interface assembly comprises means which are extendible to the spool and a piston head element within the housing and carried around an extension for travel along the extension in response to pressure variation. The piston head is shiftable in a first direction in response to fluid variation for travel along the extension for transfer of the spherical means within the piston from one camway to another camway without movement of the spool within the housing.

Abstract: A control fluid valve assembly is provided which is respondable to a pressure monitored fluid. The assembly preferably comprises first and second valve seats within a housing. A spool element is shuttleable within the housing near the valve seat by either manual or mechanical manipulation to first and second positions and is responsive to pressure variation within the monitored fluid to shuttle it to a second position. Balls are contained in first and second valve head groups and are carryable by the spool element, the balls being selectively sealingly engagable onto and wipable off of the valve seat means to control fluid flow of the control fluid within the assembly in response to the pressure monitored fluid. A plurality of seals are defined between the housing and the spool means to prevent fluid communication therebetween and to define flow passageways across the spool.

Abstract: A thermally activatable safety valve apparatus is provided with a timing assembly and valve means operationally associated with the timing assembly. First and second fluid transmission means are provided through the apparatus, with one of the first and second fluid transmission means being isolatable by activation of the timing assembly. A thermally activatable trigger means isolates the other of the said first and second fluid transmission means and also initiates the closure of the valve means associated with the timing assembly.